Locking device for card-index systems.



Patented Dec. l6, I902.

No. 7l5,807.

D E. HUNTER. LOGKINGDEVIGE FORGARD INDEX SYSTEMS.

" (Application N07. 7, 1901.)

(No Model.)

NlTED STATES *ATENT OFFICE.

LIBRARY BUREAU, OF BOSTON,

OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION LOCKING DEVICE FOR CARD-INDEX SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 715,807, dated December 16, 1902. Application filed November 7. 1901. Serial No. 81,450. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID E. HUNTER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cambridge, in the county'of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Card-Index Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to card catalogue and index systems, and is especially adapted to daily-balance and ledger card systems,wherein certain selected cards, representing individual accounts, are to be diiiferentiated from the general rank of cards in a box for temporarily calling attention to such selected cards.

Mechanically my invention consists in looking and unlocking devices for controlling the cards and for guarding against errors on the part of the persons in charge of the card system.

In the drawings hereto annexed, which illustrate an embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a card box or drawer with my improvements embodied therein. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the front part of a drawer with my cardlocking device in open or working position. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a detail-the locking-plate which is secured to the front of the drawer or box. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of a drawer or box midway of its length, showing the normal positions of the cards and my locking devices. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing my locking devices in action and a card transferred to its'abnormal or prominent position. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section along the line 6 6, Fig. 1, of part of the drawer or box of Fig. l viewed from the right. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail illustrations showing different posi tions of my card locking and unlocking devices. 7

The arrangement of cards in what may be termed normal and abnormal position is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. In Fig. 4 the cards N are stacked one behind the other in the drawer or box, which is wider than the cards themselves. When in normal position, no card is distinguished from its fellows, all standing against the side S of the drawer; but when it is desired to place some of the cards in abnormal position,whereby attention is called thereto, such cards are moved from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the full-line position (Shown in Fig. 5.) For instance, if the card system is being used for daily-balance and ledger work each card is devoted to the account of one customer or correspondent, a new entry against a customer is placed on his card, which is withdrawn from its normal position of alinement with the other cards, Fig. 4, and this card is placed back inthe drawer in the abnormal position, (shown in Fig. 5,) out of alinement with the general mass of the cards in the drawer. At the close of a day all the new entries are made prominent by the position of the cards thus placed and are taken off for balance. When the days work is completed, these cards are replaced in their usual position in alinement with the general mass of cards.

My improvements render it easy to withdraw any desired card from its normal position in the stack, make it impossible to return a card inadvertently to its normal position, and provide ready means for restoring cards from abnormal to normal position when it is proper to do so. I also provide devices for holding the cards in such alinement when in normal position that there is no danger of impeding the movements of the cardreleasing devices by reason of friction of the cards against the same.

The cards N are notched at the bottom at n and n Fig. 4. The notch 11 is idle when the cards are in their normal position and serves to secure the card in abnormal position by engaging with the cleat b, Fig. 5. The notch 02 is peculiarly shaped, having a narrow throat or opening at the lower edge of the card and an enlargement bounded by the curve n and the incline n, Fig. 4. The cards N are secured in their normal position by means of the retaining-rod A, from which a blade at projects laterally and which is capable of a rotary or wrist movement. When a card N is pulled upward, the incline n presses the blade a upward, turning the retaining-rod A to the position shown in Fig. 5, so that the narrow neck of the notch 41? passes over the rod A as the card is lifted. When the card is withdrawn, a spring returns the blade A to the position shown in Fig. 4. The card is now replaced in the drawer. The position of the retaining-rod A prevents the card from returning to its original position, so that if the person handling the card should inadvertently attempt to replace it in its normal original position he will be automatically reminded of his mistake and will place the card in the full-line position. (Shown in Fig. 5.) The dotted lines, Fig. 5, show the manner in which the withdrawal of a card causes the rod A to turn and release the card. When the time comes to replace all the cards in their regular alinement, the rod A is moved to its position shown in Fig. 5; but this movement calls for conscious manual action on the part of the user. It is obvious that the spring which controls the wrist movement of the rod A must be quite light, because the cards themselves are called upon to actuate the rod A by their dragging movement past the blade 0. if the cards N were held in alinement only by the rod A and impede its turning movement even to such a degree that a card withdrawn would be torn or bent in the act. In order to guard against this difiiculty, the cleat b, which engages with the notch n when the cards are in their abnormal and prominent position, is so placed with relation to the cards N and the sides of the receptacle which holds them that when the cards are placed in abnormal position they are held clear of the rod A, and also when they are placed in normal alinement the cards N are prevented from being displaced laterally to such an extent that the side walls of the notch 02 touch or are rubbed by the rod A. The clearance between the cards N, side S of the receptacle, and cleat b is less than the clearance of the notch n on the rod A and block (1. Thus the blade A when free to turn is very easily moved, and the sides of the notch n suffer no damage in the act of withdrawing a card. The details of the mechanism by which these results are eflected are as follows:

The card-retaining rod A, Fig. 1, lies parallel with the bottom B of the drawer and is supported at its ends on pintle-bearings a and a}, which rest and turn, respectively, in the screw-plug a in the back wall R of the drawer and in the central hole a in the movable block a at the front of the drawer. The blade 0. and tang a project laterally from the retaining-rod A. The front end of the rod A lies in the cylindrical cavity 0, cut for the purpose in the block 0, which fills the forward end of the drawer. Stops 0 c fixed in the block 0, project into the cavity 0 and limit the rotary or wrist movement of the rod A to about one-quarter of a full turn by acting on the tang a. A spring m, coiled around the rod A, bears against the edge 0 of the manually controlled, placed in normal work ing position or locked either in position to 4 retain or release cards, are as follows: The cylindrical centrally perforated block a which rests in the cylindrical cavity 0 of the block 0, is secured by a bolt or rivet d to the shaft d of the operating-handle D. A leaf-spring 0 secured to the block 0 and operating in the cavity 0*", presses against the block a and urges it constantly toward the red A. By means of the handle D and its connections the block a may he slid or turned in the cavity 0. Pins (1 d project from the inner face of the block a and overlap the tang a. A lug d projects from the handleshaft d just behind the flange dand cooperates with the lock-plate e, Fig. 3. The lock-plate e is secured to the front E of the drawer and has a central perforation e, which accommodates the handle-shank d Notches e e e are cut at the edge of the perforation e at ninety degrees angular distance apart and are of proper size and depth to cooperate with the lug d. It is plain that as the handle D is turned to the right or left the pins d (1 will alternately release the rod A, leaving it free to turn within the limits prescribed by the stops 0 c or lock the rod A either in position to release or retain the cards N, according to the position of the blade at.

Fig. 6 shows the pins d and d in such position that the rod A is locked in position to release the cards N or permit their replacement in the regular alinement.

Fig. 7 shows the pins d d in such position that the rod A and its blade a may turn through a right angle, the tang a and stops 0 a limiting the movement. In this case a card N may be withdrawn from the normal position, the rod A turning to release it, and return under the stress of the spring 177., so as to exclude a card from replacement in the regular alinement.

Fig. 8 shows the pins d d in position to lock the rod A with its blade at in horizontal card-retaining position.

The manner in which the rod A is manually controlled is shown in Fig. 2. The handle D is pulled out until the lug d is clear of the lock-plate 6. Then the handle D and the parts connected therewith may be turned until the lug d registers with another notchsay e in the lock-plate. The spring 0 automatically returns the handle D to position with the flange 01 against the face of the plate 6.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Let-- ters Patent, is-

1. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, notches in the cards which engage the retaining-bar, the retaining-bar, movable from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically returning the retaining-bar to card-retaining position, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to move the retaining-bar to card-releasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack, and so as to slip over the said bar when it is so moved to card releasing position, the notch entrance being so shaped that the retainingbar will not enter therein when it'is in normal card-retaining position, and movable devices, manually controllable whereby the said retaining-bar may be positively held either in card-releasing or card-retaining position, substantially as described.

2. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yieldi'ng retaining-bar, notches in the cards which engage the retaining-bar, the retaining-bar, movable from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically returning the retaining-bar to card-retaining position, stops, fixed in the card-receptacle whereby the movement of the retaining-bar is limited, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to move the retaining-bar to card-releasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack, and so as to slip over the said bar when it is so moved to card-releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the retaining-bar will not enter therein when it is in normal cardretaining position, and movable devices,

- manually controllable whereby the said retaining-bar may be positively held either in card-releasing or card-retaining position,substantially as described.

3. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, the said bar pivoted and provided with a laterally-projecting blade, notches in the cards which engage said blade, the retaining-bar movable on its pivots from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically turning the bar to card-retaining position, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to turn the retaining-bar to cardreleasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack and so as to slip over the blade when it is so moved to card-releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the blade will not enter therein when it is in normal card-retaining position, and stops, fixed in the card receptacle whereby the turning movement of the retaining-baris limited, and manually-controllable movable pins whereby the retaining-bar may be positively held in either card-releasing or card-retaining position.

I 4. In an index-card system, the combination of cards, notched to engage a movable retaining-bar, the retaining bar, pivotally mounted, a blade on the bar, a spring to return the bar to normal card-retaining positions, manually-controllable devices comprising stop-pins, a handle for operating the same, and locking contrivances, whereby the movable retaining-bar may at will be positively retained in card-releasing or card-retaining position, or be left free to move in response to the withdrawal of a card therefrom, substantially as described.

5. In an index-card system, the combination of cards notched to engage a movable retaining-bar, the retaining bar, pivotally mounted, a blade on the bar, a spring to return the bar to normal card-retaining positions, stops, fixed in the card receptacle, whereby the movement of the retaining-bar is limited, manually-controllable devices comprising stop-pins, a handle for operating the same, and locking contrivances, whereby the movable retaining-bar may at will be positively retained in card-releasing or card-retaining position, or be left free to move in response to the withdrawal of a card therefrom, substantially as described.

6.. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, a movable card-retaining bar, pivotally mounted, a tang on the bar and fixed stops engaging therewith, movable stop-pins, connected to a handle, the handle mounted to slide and turn, the said stop-pins capable of engagement with the retaining-bar tang, a locking-plate cooperating with the said handle in such manner that sliding movement of the handle controls the locking devices, and turning movement of the handle controls the stop-pins, substantially as described.

7. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, a movable card-retaining bar, pivotally mounted, a tang on the bar, fixed stops engaging therewith, movable stop-pins, connected to a handle, the handle mounted to slide and turn, the said stop-pins capable of engagement with the retainingbar tang, a locking-plate cooperating with the said handle in such manner that sliding movement of the handle controls the locking devices, and turning movement of the handle controls the stop-pins, and a spring constantly urging the said handle into locked position, substantially as described.

8. In an index-card system the combination of a card-receptacle, cards of less width than the receptacle, retained in stack alinement by a yielding retaining-bar, notches in the cards which engage the retaining-bar, the retaining-bar movable from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically returning the retaining-bar to card-retaining position,

the said notches in the cards being shaped so as to move the retaining-bar to card-releasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack, and so as to slip over the said bar when it is so moved to card-releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the retaining-bar will not enter therein when the bar is in normal card-retaining position, a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle, whereby the cards are registered with the retaining-bar when in normal alinement, and notches in the cards adapted to engage with the spacing-cleat when the cards are in abnormalposition,substantiallyas described.

9. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, notches in the cards which engage the retaining-bar,the retain ing-bar, movable from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically returning the retaining-bar to card-retaining position, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to move the retaining-bar to card-releasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack, and so as to slip over the said bar when it is so moved to card-releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the retaining-bar will not enter therein when it is in normal cardretaining position, and movable devices, manually controllable whereby the said retaining-bar may be positively held either in card-releasing or card-retaining position, and a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle, and notches in the cards to engage said cleat, whereby the cards are registered with the retaining-bar, substantially as described.

10. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, notches in the cards which engage the retaining-bar, the retaining-bar, movable from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically returning the retaining-bar to card-retaining position, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to move the retaining-bar to card-releasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack, and so as to slip overthe said bar when itis so moved to card-releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the retaining-bar will not enter therein when it is in normal cardretaining position, and movable devices, manually controllable whereby the said retaining-bar may be positively held either in card-releasing or card-retaining position, a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle, whereby the cards are registered with the retaining-bar when in normal alinement, and notches in the cards adapted to engage with the spacing-cleat when the cards are in abnormal position, substantially as described.

11. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle bya yielding retaining-bar, notches in the cards which engage the retaining-bar, the retaining-bar, movable from normal cardretaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically returning. the retaining-bar to card-retaining position, stops, fixed in the card-receptacle whereby the movement of the retaining-bar is limited, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to move the retaining-bar to card-releasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack, and so as to slip over the said bar when it is so moved to card-releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the retaining-bar will not enter therein when it is in normal cardretaining position, and movable devices, manually controllable whereby the said retaining-bar may be positively held either in card-releasing or card-retaining position, and a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle, and notches in the cards to engage said cleat, whereby the cards are registered with the said retaining-bar, substantially as described.

12. In an index-card system, the combinationof a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, notches in the cards which engage the retaining-bar, the retaining-bar, movable from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically returning the retaining-bar to card-retaining position, stops, fixed in the card-receptacle whereby the movement of the retaining-bar is limited, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to move the retaining-bar to card-releasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack, and so as to slip over the said bar when it is so moved to cardreleasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the retaining-bar will not enter therein when it is in normal card-retaining position, and movable devices, manually controllable whereby the said retaining-bar may be positively held either in card-releasing or card-retaining position, a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle, whereby the cards are registered with the retaining-bar when in normal alinement, and notches in the cards adapted to engage with the spacingcleat when the cards are in abnormal position, substantially as described.

13. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, the said bar pivoted and provided with a laterally-projecting blade, notches in the cards which engage said blade, the retaining-bar movable on its pivots from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically turning the bar to card-retaining position, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to turn the retaining-bar to cardreleasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack and so as to slip over the blade when it is so moved to card-releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the ICC blade will not enter therein when it is in normal card-retaining position, and stops, fixed in the card-receptacle whereby the turning movement of the retaining-bar is limited, and a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle, whereby the cards are registered with the said retaining-bar, substantially as described.

1 L. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, the said bar pivoted and provided with 'a laterally-projecting blade, notches in the cards which engage said blade, the retaining-bar movable on its pivots from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically turning the bar to card-retaining position, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to turn the retaining-bar to cardreleasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack and so'as to slip over the blade when it is so moved to card-releasing position, the

notch-entrance being so shaped that the blade will not enter therein when it is in normal card-retaining position, and stops, fixed in the card-receptacle whereby the turning movement of the retaining-bar is limited, a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle,whereby the cards are registered with the retainingbar when in normal alinement, and notches in the cards adapted to engage with the spacing-cleat when the cards are in abnormal position, substantially as described.

15. In an index-card system,the combination of a card-receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, the said bar pivoted and provided with a laterally-projecting blade, notches in the cards which engage said blade, the retaining-bar movable on its pivots from normal card-retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for automatically turning the bar to card-retaining position, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to turn the retaining -bar to cardreleasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack and so as to slip over the blade when it is so moved to card-releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the blade will not enter therein when it is in normal card-retaining position, and stops, fixed in the card receptacle whereby the turning movement of the retaining-bar is limited, and man ually-controllable movable pins whereby the retaining-bar may be positively held in either card-releasing or cardretaining position, and a spacing-cleat secured to the cardreceptacle, and notches in the cards to engage said cleat, whereby the cards are registered with the said retaining-bar.

16. In an index-card system, the combination of a card receptacle, cards retained in stack alinement in the receptacle by a yielding retaining-bar, the said bar pivoted and provided with a laterallyprojecting blade, notches in the cards which engage said blade, the retaining-bar movable on its pivots from normal card -retaining position to abnormal card-releasing position, means for autom atically turning the bar to card-retaining position, the said notches in the cards being so shaped as to turn the retaining-bar to cardreleasing position as a card is withdrawn from the stack and so as to slip over the blade when it is so moved to card -releasing position, the notch-entrance being so shaped that the blade will not enter therein when it is in normal card-retaining position, and stops, fixed in the card receptacle whereby the turning movement of the retaining-bar is limited, and manuallycontrollable movable pins whereby the retaining bar may be positively held in either card-releasing or card retaining position, a spacingcleat secured to the card-receptacle, whereby the cards are registered with the retainingbar when in normal alinement, and notches in the cards adapted to engage with the spacingcleat when the cards are in abnormal position.

17. In an index-card system, the combination of cards, notched to engage a movable retaining-bar, the retaining-bar, pivotally mounted, a blade on the bar, a spring to return the bar to normal card retaining positions, manually controllable devices comprising stop-pins, a handle for operating the same, and locking contrivances, whereby the movable retaining -bar may at will be positively retained in card-releasing or card retaining position, or be left free to move in' response to the withdrawal of a card therefrom, a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle, whereby the cards are registered with the retaining-bar when in normal alinement, and notches in the cards adapted to engage with the spacing-cleat when the cards are in abnormal position, substantially as described.

18. In an index-card system, the combination of cards, notched to engage a movable retaining-bar, the retaining-bar, pivotally mounted, a blade on the bar, a spring to return the bar to normal card-retaining position, stops, fixed in the card-receptacle,whereby the movement of the retaining-bar is limited, manually-controllable devices comprising stop-pins, a handle for operating the same, and locking contrivances, whereby the movable ret-aining-bar may at will be positively retained in card-releasing or card-retaining position, or be left free to move in response to the withdrawal of a card therefrom, a spacin g-cleat secured to the card-receptacle,whereby the cards are registered with the retainingbar when in normal alinement, and notches in the cards adapted to engage with the spacing-cleat when the cards are in abnormal position, substantially as described.

19. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, a movable card-retaining bar, pivotally mounted, a tang on the bar and fixed stops engaging therewith, movable stop-pins, connected to a handle mounted to slide and turn, the said stop-pins capable of engagement with the retaining-bar tang, a locking plate cooperating with the said .handle in such manner that sliding movement of the handle controls the locking devices, and turning movement of the handle controls the stop-pins, a spacing-cleat secured to the card-receptacle, whereby the cards are registered with the retaining-bar when in normal alinement, and notches in the cards adapted to engage with the spacing-cleat when the cards are in abnormal position, substantially as described.

20. In an index-card system, the combination of a card-receptacle, a movable card-retaining bar, pivotally mounted, a tang on the bar and fixed stops engaging therewith, movable stop-pins, connected to a handle mounted to slide and turn, the said stop-pins capable of engagement with the retaining-bar tang,

DAVID E. HUNTER.

Witnesses:

E. T. V. GRoLL, FRANK S. HARTNETT. 

